Barcode of ethics

Rules, advice and perspectives on shopping as a necessity, a hobby and spiritual pursuit.

Shopping is a touchy subject for many people. It raises questions about class status — the types of shops you can access, the quality of goods you can afford — and holds a stigma for being a vain, vapid activity. It's an especially loaded subject for someone like me, who has Chanel taste on a Walmart budget and has often struggled with impulsive spending. As a result, I've made a conscious effort to construct a view of and approach to shopping that challenges some of its negative stereotypes, while also providing safeguards for some of its insidious elements. Here, I share some of my rules, advice and perspectives related to shopping as a necessity, a hobby and spiritual pursuit.

1. Avoid paying full price. Most big stores have regular rotating sales that slash the cost of current merchandise, and in our late-capitalist post-Shein world, stuff goes from on-trend to out-of-date — and, thus, marked down — faster than ever, so there's rarely a reason to pay full price. Plus, most stuff in big stores is literally not worth it — everything you buy from any major retailer is overpriced for the sole reason of increasing corporate profits. Save money and stick it to the man by shopping sales, clipping coupons, and following the bargain hunter's golden rule: Check. The clearance rack. First.

2. Shop local and independent. I'll always have a soft spot for certain major brands, and still aspire to own some things from certain labels, but I'm making a conscious effort to prioritize supporting local and/or independent businesses and makers. It supports real people and places in my community, instead of nameless corporations; often has a lower carbon footprint; and can be even more fun and interesting than skimming shelves of trendy brands at a major chain.

3. Overindulge!... in moderation. Scamming major corporations and supporting local business is fun and all, and I guess being responsible with your money is important or whatever. But sometimes, a gal's gotta splurge. You shouldn't spend carelessly, and huge hauls shouldn't happen everyday, but you also shouldn't be ashamed if you occassionally drop a little more cash than you planned, or grab a few extra treats from time to time. You need to check in with yourself regularly and be brutally honest with yourself about whether your shopping and spending aligns with the rest of your responsibilities, values and goals. Like, if you're having to borrow money to make rent because you blew your paycheck on one trip to the mall, definitely reel it in. But don't put unrealistic pressure on yourself, or carry unnecessary guilt for being human and having a little too much fun sometimes. We all have our thing.

4. Let yourself want it. Fast fashion FOMO can lead to buyer's remorse. Impulsive purchases are almost never worth the fleeting dopamine rush. They're bad for your wallet, and if you return or donate stuff a lot, it could all end up in a landfill sooner than you realize, so it's bad for the environment, too. It's classic budgeting advice to sleep on big-ticket purchases for a few days or weeks before making a decision, and heeding this advice for all non-essential purchases is a smart move — especially in our age of instant-gratification. But delaying the pleasure of a purchase — or deciding against a purchase — shouldn't mean denying your desires. Whether or not you end up taking the plunge, step back and slow down, not just to consider buying something, but also to just enjoy the feeling of wanting it. You may just find that letting yourself admire the object of your desire is enough to scratch the need-for-novelty itch shopping is often really about. If you do end up wanting it enough to buy it, you'll know you'll really enjoy it. And if you take this more mindful, present approach to shopping, you'll enjoy the experience more either way. Which brings us to the final point...

5. Enjoy the experience. There is definitely something special to the act of buying something; and of course it's great to be able to take some home some shiny new toy. But shopping is not just buying stuff. Shopping should be an experience — browsing the merchandise like they're museum artifacts; people watching; finding comfort in a temperature-controlled store; recalling nostalgic memories spurred by a certain item or store; maybe enjoying a snack at some point. In its purest sense, at its best, shopping is about being present in a physical space with other people. The rise of delivery apps and e-commerce has stripped shopping of these crucial elements, making it a chore to be automated away, outsourced to some underpaid worker. It becomes cold and impersonal, and less real. That's why I always try to shop in person. Whether I'm running an errand or just window shopping for fun, reconnecting with physical space, seeking a sense of community and engaging with my individual perception helps me feel more centered and connected. Which, at once, helps me avoid mindless spending and enjoy shopping so much more.

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